Spanish TroopsThe long wars that Spain fought over Dutch independence, in support of Habsburg interests in Germany, and against France left the country militarily exhausted and financially drained by the mid-1600s. In this detail from a painting by Peeter Snayers, Spanish troops — thin, emaciated, and probably unpaid — straggle away from battle. (detail, Troops at the Siege of Aire Sur La Lys, 1658, by Peeter Snayers [1592–1667]/Prado, Madrid, Spain/Index/The Bridgeman Art Library)